Chicago authorities have issued an urgent plea for help in locating a 13-year-old girl, Wendy Sanchez, who vanished from her Northwest Side home earlier this week. Police say she was last seen on the 1800 block of N. Karlov Ave. on April 8. Standing at five feet tall and weighing in at 98 pounds, the teen is described as Hispanic with brown eyes and black hair, as reported by the Chicago Police Department.

As detectives from the Chicago Police Area Five SVU scour the area, they believe the missing teen might be found in Maywood, Illinois. Though details around her disappearance are sparse, her family and law enforcement are seeking the public's assistance with any information that might lead to Wendy's safe return. Having vanished seemingly without a trace, the community is on high alert, looking out for a girl simply trying to navigate the precipice between child and young adult.

Chicago Police are urging anyone who has seen Wendy or has knowledge of her whereabouts to come forward. "The missing may be in Maywood, Illinois," the Chicago Police Department stated, as they circulate her description broadly in hopes that someone, somewhere, knows something that might ease a family's tortured heart.

Those with information are strongly encouraged to contact the Chicago Police Area Five SVU Detectives at (312) 746-6554.